ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Establishment of fresh air quality standards
Government has notified National Ambient Air Quality Standards  for 12 pollutants in 2009 to protect public health and environment from air pollution. Review of the existing standards, criteria governing these standards as well as incorporating new parameters with advances in scientific research is a continuous process. With changes in fuel, technology and demographics as well as advances in air pollution measurement techniques, risk and exposure assessment, review of Air Quality Standards  are carried for better improvement in public health. Review of NAAQS has been sanctioned to a joint team lead by IIT Kanpur.
Government has launched National Clean Air Programme  as a national level strategy to reduce air pollution levels across the country. NCAP aims to meet prescribed annual average ambient air quality standards across the country in a stipulated timeframe. Accordingly, list of non-attainment cities i.e. cities exceeding national standards for 05 consecutive years is updated annually and such cities are directed to prepare and implement city action plans for improvement in air quality.
Under NCAP, City Specific Clean Air Action Plans have been prepared and rolled out for implementation in 132 non-attainment and million plus cities. These action plans focus on city specific short/ medium/ long term actions to control air pollution from sources such as vehicular emission, road dust, burning of biomass/ crop/ garbage/ Municipal Solid Waste, landfills, construction activities, industrial emission, etc.
National Knowledge Network of leading academic institutions in States have been constituted to facilitate exchange of technical knowhow on air quality management. Institutes of Repute  have been identified for local technical capacity building.
This information was given by Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change in Rajya Sabha today.
President's Secretariat
President of India to inaugurate National Women Legislators conference 2022 tomorrow in Thiruvananthapuram
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind will leave for the visit of three states – Kerala, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh this evening . He will return Delhi on May 29, 2022.
On May 26, 2022, the President will inaugurate the National Women Legislators’ Conference-2022, being organized by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in Thiruvananthapuram.
On May 27, 2022, the President will grace the 125th year celebrations of Kai. Smt. Laxmibai Dagadusheth Halwai Datta Mandir Trust in Pune, Maharashtra.
On May 28, 2022, the President will address a function ‘One-Nation – One Health System is the need of Hour’ being organized by the Arogya Bharati in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. On the same day, he will also lay the foundation stone/ launch various health infrastructure projects of Government of Madhya Pradesh in Bhopal.
On May 29, 2022, the President will inaugurate the 59th Mahaadhiveshan of Akhil Bhartiya Ayurved Mahasammelan at Ujjain.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
NUTRITION DURING FIRST 1000 DAYS CRUCIAL FOR HEALTHY LIFE OF BABY
PIB CONDUCTS WEBINAR ON ‘BALANCING THE DIET TO BALANCE NUTRITION’ TO MARK SEPTEMBER AS ‘POSHAN MAAH’
Providing nutrition during first 1000 days accelerates mental development and good physical growth of a baby, said Dr. G.M. Subba Rao, Scientist of ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition , Hyderabad. Delivering the key-note address in a Webinar on “Balancing the diet to balance nutrition”, organised by the Press Information Bureau  and the Regional Outreach Bureau  of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt of India, Hyderabad, today, he said that the first 270 days in the life of a baby while in the womb and the next two years after birth are very crucial in the life of a baby. During this period mother and child need to be given very balanced and nutritious diet as this ensures immunity. About 30 to 40 percent women who conceive often suffer from deficiencies of micro nutrients such as B12, Iron, Folic acid and hence it is essential to take diversified food during pre and post pregnancy. He said every one kilogram increase in the weight of a pregnant woman will increase birth weight of the baby by 52 grams.
Ensuring that the new-born baby is fed with breast milk within the first hour after birth gives it the essential nutrients to build up strong immunity, he said. Further. breastfeeding for first six months promotes cognitive and sensitive development and renders maximum protection to babies against infectious diseases. Explaining about the nutritious food that need to be taken for a healthy life, Dr. Subba Rao said that quality, quantity and frequency of meal are very important. A healthy diet should include fresh fruits, vegetable, nuts and healthy fats. He said everybody should take 350 grams of vegetables and 150 grams of fruits daily and salt intake should be restricted to below five grams and sugar to two or three tea spoons. Food items should be stored in a fridge at less than five degrees Celsius temperature. Clearing various misconceptions on food, Dr. Subba Rao said too much of rinsing rice in water before cooking will lead to loss of nutrients in the rice. He recommended to include two –three varieties of edible oils for cooking.
Delivering the inaugural address, Smt. Shruti Patil, Director, PIB & ROB, said the webinar was organised as the month of September is being observed as Poshan Maah  by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India. Recalling that the Poshan Abhiyaan was launched in March 2018 by the Prime Minister as a flagship programme to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers aiming for Holistic Nutrition, she said that the webinar was an effort in terms of outreach. The Officers and staff of various media units of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt of India, Department of Women Development and Child Welfare, Govt of Telangana including more than 100 Anganwadi teachers and other field functionaries participated in the webinar.
Ministry of Finance
Auction for Sale  of  ‘7.17% GS 2030’,  ‘7.41% GS 2036’ and  ‘7.25% GS 2063’
The Government of India  has announced the sale  of  “7.17% Government Security 2030” for a notified amount of Rs 7,000 crore  through price based auction using uniform price method,  “7.41% Government Security 2036” for a notified amount of Rs 12,000 crore  through price based auction using uniform price method and  “7.25% Government Security 2063” for a notified amount of Rs 12,000 crore  through price based auction using multiple price method. GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to Rs. 2,000 crore against each security mentioned above. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on June 23, 2023 .
Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the securities will be allotted to eligible individuals and institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.
Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution  system on June 23, 2023. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
The result of the auctions will be announced on June 23, 2023  and payment by successful bidders will be on June 26, 2023 .
The Securities will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves restructuring of National Health Agency as "National Health Authority" for better implementation of Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the restructuring of existing National Health Agency as "National Health Authority" for better implementation of Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana .
With this approval, the existing society "National Health Agency" has been dissolved and will be replaced by National Health Authority as an attached office to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
The existing multi-tier decision making structure has been replaced with the Governing Board chaired by the Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India which will enable the decision making at a faster pace, required for smooth implementation of the scheme. The composition of the Governing Board is broad based with due representations from the Government, domain experts, etc. Besides, the States shall also be represented in the Governing Board on rotational basis.
No new funds have been approved. Existing budget that was approved earlier by the Cabinet for The National Health Agency, including costs related to IT, human resources, infrastructure, operational costs etc. would be utilized by the proposed National Health Authority.
It is envisaged that the National Health Authority shall have full accountability, authority and mandate to implement PM-JAY through an efficient, effective and transparent decision-making process.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Draft Indian Ports Bill 2021
Initially, the draft Indian Ports Bill, 2020 was circulated first time on 02.07.2020 for comments of all stakeholders viz. State Governments, Union Territories, State Maritime Boards  and major ports. The Bill was circulated second time on 10.12.2020 to all stakeholders for their comments and all central line Ministries for Inter-Ministerial Consultations  and simultaneously hosted on the website of this Ministry for public consultations.
After extensively examining all the inputs received from all stakeholders and central line Ministries and suitably incorporating them in the draft Bill, the present draft Indian Ports Bill, 2021 was circulated on 10th June, 2021 for stakeholders’ comments, prior to the 18th meeting of Maritime States Development Council  scheduled on 24th June 2021. Comments of some of the State Governments are still awaited. The proposed legislation is still under consultative stage.
The draft Indian Ports Bill, 2021 proposes to leave the management and administration of the major ports to the Board of Major Port Authority for each port, constituted by the Major Ports Authorities Act, 2021 and to State Maritime Boards for the management and administration of all non-major ports in each State/UT. This is clearly reflected in the clauses of the draft Indian Ports Bill, 2021 which require every coastal State and Union Territory to constitute a State Maritime Board, if it does not already exist through State statutes and, which empower the said State Maritime Boards with uniform powers and functions including planning, development, supervisory, administrative and adjudicatory powers and functions.
This information was given by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 102.94 Cr
Recovery Rate currently at 98.19%; Highest since March 2020
12,428 New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload  is lowest in 241 days
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 2% for last32 days
With the administration of 64,75,733 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 102.94 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 1,02,28,502sessions.
The break-up of the cumulative figureas per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,03,78,376
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
91,61,406
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,83,69,785
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,57,60,430
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
40,94,98,214
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
12,88,99,829
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
17,25,40,509
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9,20,43,343
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10,83,99,191
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
6,43,50,036
|
|
Total
|
|
1,02,94,01,119
The recovery of15,951 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients  to 3,35,83,318.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.19%. Recovery Rate is currently at its highest peak since March 2020.
Sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs continue the trend of less than 50,000 Daily New Cases that is being reported for 121 consecutive days now.
12,428 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours. This is the lowest in 238 days.
The Active Caseload remains below 2 lakh mark and is presently at1,63,816 which is lowest in 241 days.Active cases presently constitute 0.48% of the country's total Positive Cases, which is lowest since March 2020.
The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of
11,31,826tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over60.19 Cr  cumulative tests.
While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate at 1.24% remains less than 2% for the last 32 days now. The Daily Positivity rate reported to be1.10%. The daily Positivity rate has remained below2% for last 22 days and below 3% for 57 consecutive days now.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh remembers Dr A P J Abdul Kalam
The 88th birth anniversary of former President, Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was celebrated in DRDO Bhawan premises here today. On this occasion, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh garlanded the statue of Dr Kalam and complimented DRDO on the successful conduct of 41st Directors’ Conference as a true tribute to him. He commended DRDO for organising the ‘Dare to Dream’ contest and distributed awards to winners in individual and start-up category.
National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval, Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Secretary Department of Defence R&D & Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy also joined the Raksha Mantri in paying tributes to the former President.
ABB/SS/Nampi/DK/Savvy/ADA
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 138.96 Cr
More than 57 Lakh doses administered in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently at 98.40% is highest since March 2020
6,317 New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload currently  is lowest in 575 days
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 1% for last 38 days
With the administration of 57,05,039 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 138.96 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 1,47,11,227sessions.
The break-up of the cumulative figureas per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,03,86,502
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
96,57,186
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,83,84,345
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,67,91,268
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
48,90,85,845
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
30,06,95,171
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
19,21,00,064
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
14,19,68,808
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
12,00,06,899
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9,05,14,582
|
|
Total
|
|
1,38,95,90,670
The recovery of 6,906 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients  to 3,42,01,966.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.40%,highest since March 2020.
Sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs continue the trend of less than 15,000 Daily New Cases that is being reported for last 55days now.
6,317 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
India’s Active Caseloadpresently at 78,190 is lowest in 575 days. Active cases constitute 0.22% of the country's total Positive Cases, which is lowest since March 2020.
The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of 12,29,512tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 66.73 Cr  cumulative tests.
While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate at 0.58% remains less than 1% for the last 38 days now. The Daily Positivity rate reported to be0.51%. The daily Positivity rate has remained below2% for last 79 days and below 3% for 114 consecutive days now.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind Presents ‘Nari Shakti Puraskar’ – 2020 and 2021 on the Occasion of International Women’s Day
Twenty-Eight Awards - 14 Each For 2020 and 2021, Presented To 29 Women In Recognition Of Exceptional Work Towards Women Empowerment
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind conferred the ‘Nari Shakti Puraskar’ - 2020 and 2021, at a special ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on occasion of International Women’s Day, today. The award was conferred on 29 outstanding and exceptional women achievers for the years 2020 and 2021. Twenty-eight awards - - were presented to 29 women in recognition of their exceptional work towards empowerment of women, especially the vulnerable and marginalised.
To acknowledge women's achievements, the Ministry of Women and Child Development confers Nari Shakti Puraskar on women and institutions in recognition of their relentless service towards the cause of women empowerment and social welfare, and to celebrate women as game changers and catalyst of positive change in the society. The award ceremony for the year 2020 could not be held in 2021 due to prevalent situation created by COVID-19 pandemic.
Ministry of Culture
Sahitya Akademi invites books from Publishers and young Indian authors for Yuva Puraskar 2018
For Yuva Puraskar 2018, Sahitya Akademi is inviting books from publishers and young Indian authors of the age of 35 and below in all the 24 languages recognized by the Akademi. The applicant author should be 35 or below on 1st January 2017. Last date of submission is 16th August 2017. The books should be submitted along with the attested copy of the proof of date of birth. Further information about the submission can be obtained from the Sahitya Akademi Website - http://sahitya-akademi.gov.in.
Sahitya Akademi introduced Yuva Puraskar in 2011 to encourage young writers writing in Indian languages and who are below the age of 35. Since then every year awards have been given to the best book by young Indian authors in the Indian languages recognized by the Akademi, viz., Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Santali, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. These awards are presented at a prestigious ceremony and comprise an amount of Rs. 50,000/-, a plaque and a citation.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Total Kharif crops sown on 1113.63 lakh ha area against 1053.52 lakh ha area during the corresponding period last year; increase in area coverage by 5.71%
There has been satisfactory progress of sowing area coverage under Kharif crops, the status of which is given as under:
Sowing Area Coverage of Kharif Crops : as on 18.09.2020, the total Kharif crops has been sown on 1113.63 lakh ha area against 1053.52 lakh ha area during the corresponding period of last year, thus, increase in area coverage by 5.71% compared to corresponding period of last year in the country. The crop wise area sown is as under:
- Rice: About 406.97 lakh ha area coverage under rice as compared to 378.71 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year. Thus 28.26 lakh ha more area has been covered compared to last year.
- Pulses: About 138.62 lakh ha area coverage under pulses as compared to 132.34 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year. Thus 6.28 lakh ha more area has been covered compared to last year.
- Coarse Cereals: About 182.17 lakh ha area coverage under coarse cereals as compared to 178.65 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year. Thus 3.53 lakh ha more area has been covered compared to last year.
- Oilseeds: About 196.78 lakh ha area coverage under oilseeds as compared to 178.10 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year. Thus 18.68 lakh ha more area has been covered compared to last year.
- Sugarcane: About 52.65 lakh ha area coverage under sugarcane as compared to 51.78 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year. Thus 0.87 lakh ha more area has been covered compared to last year.
- Jute & Mesta: About 6.97 lakh ha area coverage under jute &mesta as compared to 6.86 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year. Thus 0.12lakh ha more area has been covered compared to last year.
- Cotton: About 129.47 lakh ha area coverage under cotton as compared to 127.09 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year. Thus 2.38 akh ha more area has been covered compared to last year.
The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India is taking several measures to facilitate the farmers and farming activities at field level during COVID 19 pandemic.
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Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Nikhat Zareen on winning gold medal at World Boxing Championships
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Nikhat Zareen for her spectacular victory at the World Boxing Championships and winning a Gold Medal in 50 Kg light flyweight category.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“Congratulations to Nikhat Zareen for her spectacular victory at the World Boxing Championships and winning a Gold. She is an outstanding champion whose success has made India proud on many occasions.”
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
National Statistical Organization
In pursuance to the decisions of the Union Cabinet on 19.05.2005, the Government, through its resolution dated 01.06.2005, decided to set up the National Statistical Commission. It also decided to merge the Central Statistical Organisation  and National Sample Survey Organisation  into a single entity called the National Statistical Organisation . The Government followed the due process of inter-ministerial consultation as an integral part of the decision making process.
This information was given by the Minister of State  of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Minister of State  of the Ministry of Planning, Shri Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
India reports 1.20 Lakh Daily New Cases in last 24 hours, lowest in 58 days
Less than 2 Lakh since 9 successive days
On a sustained downward slope, India's Active Caseload further decreases to 15,55,248
Active Cases decrease by 80,745 in last 24 hours
More than 2.67 crore persons have recovered from COVID infection across the country so far
1,97,894 patients have recovered during last 24 hours
More daily Recoveries than Daily New Cases reported for 23 consecutive days
Steady continuous increase in national Recovery Rate, stands at 93.38% today
Weekly Positivity Rate currently at 6.89%
Daily positivity rate further dips to 5.78%, less than 10% for 12 consecutive days
With substantially ramped up Testing capacity, more than 36.1 cr tests total conducted so far
22.78 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive